Jamaica Doubles Down on Destination Casinos to Assist in Hurricane Recovery
Posted on: April 20, 2026, 10:51h.
Last updated on: April 20, 2026, 10:52h.
- Jamaica is moving forward with large-scale casinos at eligible resorts
- Jamaica has been home to small gaming rooms for many years
- Integrated Resort Destinations will bring more slots to the Caribbean
As Jamaica continues its recovery efforts from Hurricane Melissa, a devastating Category 5 hurricane in October 2025, the Caribbean island nation is moving all-in on casino resorts.
Parimutuel wagering and lottery gaming in Jamaica date back to 1965 with the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act. Slot machines and electronic table games were legalized in 2010 through the Casino Gaming Act, but only in a limited capacity.
At the time, the Jamaican government did not wish to become known as a gambling destination. The original law therefore required that the slots and electronic table games be limited to game rooms. As a result, resorts that offer gaming typically have fewer than two dozen gaming machines. Jamaica’s resorts that do offer game rooms usually don’t advertise the casino amenity on their websites.
The government’s thinking changed in recent years, with the Parliament of Jamaica mulling legislation to amend the Casino Gaming Act to welcome in large-scale resorts that market and emphasize their casino spaces. The sparked investment in Jamaica’s resort corridors, and Parliament finally acted last year to authorize integrated resort casinos.
Integrated Resort Destinations
Last year, Jamaica’s Casino Gaming Commission drafted regulations for so-called IRDs, or Integrated Resort Destinations, where casinos will be much larger components of resorts. On Friday, the Senate signed off on the provisions, which dictate how IRS gaming licenses will be approved and regulated.
At the heart of these regulations is the drive to provide a further boost to Jamaica’s economy by diversifying and enhancing our tourism industry, which is a major contributor to Jamaica’s GDP,” Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, said in a release. “IRDs have great potential to diversify, enhance, and further expand Jamaica’s attractiveness and sought-after tourism product.”
Several resorts bet early on IRD gaming licenses. The Princess Grand Jamaica in Green Island opened in 2024, and the property is awaiting the government to finalize its IRD conditions to open its large casino space. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Montego Bay is planning to open late this year in the Rose Hall corridor.
Economic Rebound
The full-scale casinos at resorts, including the new properties, couldn’t come at a better time for Jamaica. The gambling facilities, which will need to share 10% of their monthly gross gaming revenue with the country, are expected to draw in new visitors to the island and spark a tourism revival.
Jamaica continues its recovery efforts from Melissa, the most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall in the country. It was also the costliest, with damages approaching $9 billion. Melissa resulted in 45 deaths.
Melissa most impacted the southwestern coast of Jamaica. The country’s primary resort towns are on the northern coast, namely, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
Last Comment ( 1 )
I’m not sure if any of the major players will be interested in developing integrated resorts there. Wynn, LV Sands, MGM and Caesars won’t be interested. Best they can do is Hard Rock if they are lucky